Hayley Williams from Paramore and Feminist Punk Icon Kathleen Hanna had a potent moment at Rock Hall’s Women’s History Month event.
In what way did two generations of female musicians connect?
At Cleveland’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, punk pioneer Kathleen Hanna and Paramore’s Hayley Williams had an explosive moment when their first-ever encounter became an instantaneous bond.
The sold-out Women’s History Month concert highlighted the sincere respect between two very powerful performers.
Why did these icons come together?
Emails concerning Hanna’s biography “Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk” started their relationship.
During a time of lonely writing, Williams’ passionate reaction to the book gave Hanna vital encouragement, which resulted in their explosive on-stage dialogue.
In what modern context does Hanna see her legacy?
The creator of the Bikini Kill considered her part in popularizing “girl power,” a phrase she invented that eventually became the song of the Spice Girls.
Instead of feeling bitterness, Hanna values how the message reaches younger listeners and notes similar experiences of Black musicians whose contributions to rock music often went underappreciated.
From what standpoint does Hanna see activism and performance?
Hanna endures pre-performance anxiety even after decades of practice.
Her reply was Accepting death as inspiration: “I just constantly remind myself I’m going to die.
During my stay, what am I supposed to do?” She underlines the need of keeping real and of speaking truth to power always.
Quick Facts About Kathleen Hanna:
- Started powerful punk band Bikini Kill.
- headed the Riot Grrrl movement in the 1990s.
- Published a best-selling memoir called “Rebel Girl”.
- invented the concept of “girl power”.
- Right now honoring Women’s History Month at Rock Hall